Pilot data on the nature of trauma exposure in military couples
Research Report:
Research SummaryAPA Citation:
Beck, A., Ruhlmann, L. M., & Goff, B. S. N. (2018). Pilot data on the nature of trauma exposure in military couples. Journal of Veterans Studies, 3(1), 67–84.
Abstract Created by REACH:
This study uses the Couple Adaptation to Traumatic Stress (CATS) Model to investigate couple relationship quality based on severity of PTSD symptoms, type of trauma, and perpetrator type. CATS suggests that trauma experienced by a partner in a couple has a reciprocal impact on both partners’ symptoms and functioning. Type of trauma indicates if the trauma was interpersonal (committed by another person), non-interpersonal (illness, car accident, etc.), or military trauma. Perpetrator type indicates the individual’s relationship to the perpetrator: family member, non-family member, or military related. In general, both service members’ (n = 50) and spouses’ (n = 50) experiences of trauma were associated with both partners’ reduced relationship quality.
Focus:
Couples
Mental health
Branch of Service:
Army
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Subject Affiliation:
Active duty service member
Spouse of service member or veteran
Veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Methodology:
Cross-Sectional Study
Qualitative Study
Quantitative Study
Authors:
Beck, Austin, Ruhlmann, Lauren M., Goff, Briana S. Nelson
Abstract:
Using a sample of 50 couples, this pilot study examined the associations between service member and spouse posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms on both self and partner relationship quality across trauma-type (i.e., interpersonal, non-interpersonal, military) and perpetrator-type (i.e., family member, non-family member, military) groups. Four multiple-group actor-partner interdependence models were used to analyze the actor and partner effects of husband and wives’ PTSD symptoms and relationship quality. Results suggest that under some conditions, husband and wife PTSD symptoms were negatively associated with both their own and their partner’s relationship quality. Findings from the current analyses may invite a more dynamic conceptualization of the possible relationship between PTSD, relationship quality, and distinct facets of trauma exposure in veteran couples.
Publisher/Sponsoring Organization:
VT Publishing
Publication Type:
Article
REACH Publication
Author Affiliation:
College of Human Ecology, Kansas State University, ARB
College of Human Ecology, Kansas State University, LMR
College of Human Ecology, Kansas State University, BSNG
Keywords:
military, ptsd, trauma, veteran, couples, interpersonal, perpetrator
REACH Publication Type:
Research Summary
REACH Newsletter: